Just one of those days

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
12 Sep	3:00 PM	P	Manchester City (A)	2	4	Lost

Where do I start? At the heart-wrenching loss to one of the big four contenders? At the mean, malicious and totally unprofessional stomp on Robin van Persie? Or at the callous, meaningless and most disrespecting goal celebration by the infamous Ade. Well, let me try to put across my views on all the above.

Starting with the game – It was a strange one for Arsenal, where after the bumbling goal-gifted (I still believe that Almunia should have saved / palmed it away), we stirred up, kept possession, got into the game, equalized and then threw it all away in fifteen minutes of sheer madness.

Second time in two games, we played a better game, yet ended up without any points, and with a miserable score line which in no way reflects the way we played. Chances galore in the dying minutes of the game, which if we had taken even half of, would have got us a sensational point at Eastlands and more importantly, would have got the young team a much needed morale booster.

But, alas, the shots were either wide or blocked/parried away by an ever alert Given. The introduction of Rosicky was like an instant nitro for our team, suddenly chances were opening up everywhere, the passing and the tempo of the team increased, and the link-up of Robin van Persie, Francesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky was delightful to watch. The crucial Gareth Barry handball decision against us proved that this was just one of those days.

To give due credit to Manchester City, they capitalised on our lapses, were fast to counter and caught us as we pushed hard for a positive result. Bellamy was brilliant in falling back at times to stop our runs and played hard. But the unsung hero was De Jong. He was just about everywhere trying to break-up play and was quick to react to lapses. Clichy versus Shaun Wright-Phillips was a battle of pace and it was evenly matched.

The only silver, or rather gold, lining in the match was to see Rosicky play. He looked fresh, crisp and all bit the player that we liked, when we signed him, in what feels like decades ago.

Coming to Adebayor, I will give an unemotional analysis of his game as a footballer, before I comment on his personality. He was good in the air, strong in possession, fast to react, and always a threat. The run into the final third after beating Eboue, Bendtner and Gallas was truly world class. This proves one thing. Wenger was right about the big Togolese hit man's potential. The fact that it never materialized, well, leads me on to Ade's personality.

I don't think that the fact that Ade is playing as well has anything to do with the new manager or teammates or any new training drill. It is down to his CONVICTION and hunger to score, to give 100% to the team and improve.

This leads me to question his conviction for Arsenal. Let me say it upfront – Ade was never playing for Arsenal last season. He was just there in the team. There was no conviction or motivation in him to succeed and the fans were right in their assessment of him that his mind was always on move from Arsenal. To think that he would repay the faith of the manger, team and fans this way is just disgraceful and leaves you angry.

I feel sorry for our manager, who must be feeling completely betrayed. Sure, to an extent, the fans were wrong to boo him on our own ground. It must have felt terrible. But, the only way to respond is to prove your salt's worth. That is exactly what Eboue did. He put his head down, worked like a horse and the results are there for you to see. He has been playing great. That's professionalism for you and that's a true Gunner!!

The malice and hate of Adebayor was for all to see, when he changed his forward fall to hold back his right leg, and stomped it fiercely into van Persie's face. It was deliberate alright and completely venomous. When he shamelessly and provocatively celebrated in front of the Arsenal visiting fans (leaving a steward unconscious), the transformation of indifference to hate for Ade was complete in all Gunner hearts. Thank god Wenger let him go!!

Signing-off on a good note, Ade might just have landed himself in a big soup with his antics and there are reports of him getting a four to five match ban for his antics. And the icing on the cake, UEFA has overturned the two match ban on Eduardo. So, the Croatian hit man should be there for our first match against Standard Liege in the group stages.

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